Kathy Campbell - Owner, Homemade Spa Essentials

1.  Tell us about yourself, connection to Ave and your business.

I attended Ave Maria College for four years and graduated in 2005. My friend Tammi Wachterhauser and I have started a business selling bath and body products on Etsy, as well as to local friends and acquaintances. 

2.  What spurred you to start your own business and what keeps you going?

When I was pregnant with my first child, I started researching herbs and natural living. I found some do it yourself bath recipes and began making different products for friends and family. People liked them so much they started suggesting I start my own business. Tammi was a business major in college and thoroughly enjoys the marketing and accounting aspect. We decided if we put our talents together we would have the possibility of a successful business.
What keeps us going is the excitement of creating something new and making people happy to receive a product with which they can pamper themselves without unnecessary harsh chemicals.

3.  What is your favorite part of your business? 

I have 2 favorite parts of having my own business, the first is creating the products and coming up with a great scent combination. The second truly is making people happy. I love when someone gets excited to use one of our made to order products.

4.  What are you most proud of achieving in your business?

Homemade Spa Essentials is a brand new business, so we're hoping to have plenty of achievements in the very near future. Right now, having the motivation to actually start up our business and not just talk about it is our biggest accomplishment.

5.  What is your work process?

We make orders as they are received so they are as fresh as possible when the person receives it. The product is then delivered, if local, or shipped the next business day.

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Naomi Huzovicova - Blogger, Almost Bananas

1. Tell us about yourself, your connection to Ave and your blog.

I attended Ave Maria in Ypsilanti from 2001 - 2004. I'm originally from Canada, but since marrying Michal, another Ave graduate, I've lived in Slovakia. We have four children, the last two are twins. 

I have a blog called Almost Bananas, where I blog about real food and Slovakia. 

2. What spurred you to start your own blog and what keeps you going?

I'm passionate about healthy but delicious food, that's simple to make and budget friendly. As a busy mom, I don't have time to fuss over recipes with many steps and I can't spend a lot of money on gourmet ingredients. I also really enjoy photography, and combining the two naturally led to a blog and a way to share kitchen creations with other people.

I also wanted to share life in Slovakia with others. Slovakia is a small country and not very well known, and I wanted a way to tell family and friends what it's like here.

People writing and letting me know that they enjoyed a post or photo really help keep me going. I don't want what I write just to disappear down the black internet hole, so it's nice to know that people appreciate it. I also really enjoy food photography, I could spend hours at it if I had the time, and would like to develop the food photography into a business.

3. What is your favorite part of your blog?

Hearing from people, people telling me they actually tried a recipe and like it, makes my day. I also enjoy the creative process of taking food photos.

4. What are you most proud of achieving in your blog?

I needed a blog with more options than free platforms could provide, so I created one myself. I don't know anything about tech/programming/designing but didn't have the resources to outsource it. It was sometimes frustrating and it took a long time, but I learned a lot. It still needs some work but it's beyond my abilities now.

5. What is your work process?

At the moment I don't really have a work process. I think of something to eat, try it out a few times, when I'm satisfied with the recipe I photograph it (preferably during nap time). I have different ideas for props, sometimes I choose them based on mood, season, or colour, prowling around my home seeing what else I can use.

www.almostbananas.net

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Chantelle Gossett, Pampered Chef Consultant

1. Tell us about yourself, connection to Ave and your business. 

Hi! My name is Chantelle Gossett and I went to Ave Maria in 2001, hard to believe it was that long ago.  I am married to my husband Aaron, we have been married 12 years this year, and we have four kids, 3 boys and a girl.  Collin is 10, Kaitlynn is 9, Tyler is 7 and Gavin is 4.  My brother who is 16 also lives with us.  I sell Pampered Chef as a full time job that also allows me to be a full time mom.  Pampered Chef offers high quality kitchen tools to make your time in the kitchen easier and our mission is to keep families together around the table.

2. What spurred you to start your own business and what keeps you going? 

I started my business in 2005, when we had two babies 15 months apart, as a way to continue to stay home with them but also pay for a medical expense our daughter had.  Since then the reasons I sell Pampered Chef have changed but not my love for what I do! When our third child was born, I decided to make this a part time job (about 2 parties a week) this replaced my husbands 2nd income and allowed him to quit his second job.  Previously he had been gone 60-100 hours a week and that wasn't a good fit for our family.  It was also the first year I earned a free trip with my business.  Taking Aaron to Paris for free was an amazing bonus of my job.  Since then we  have never missed a trip and have been able to travel for free to places like Disney World, Toronto, a cruise, Los Cobos and Punta Cana.  This allows us to do something we never would have been able to do until much later in life. I LOVE my job.

3. What is your favorite part of your business? 

My favorite part of my business is two fold. I love teaching people how to prepare quick, healthy meals that save money and everyone in the family enjoys. No matter who you are, people are busy, but they have to eat.  Most people want to be as healthy as they can but they feel stressed for time, so when I show you how to make an amazing meal in under 20 minutes, it helps families eat together more often and helps people to spend more time together and I love that!  I also love helping people get started with their own Pampered Chef business.  This business has changed my life and I have seen it help people get out of debt, pay for their wedding, or even just stock their kitchen with awesome products and cook more, whatever the reason helping people is another great part about what I do.  

4. What are you most proud of achieving in your business?

Last year I was recognized as one of the top 20 consultants in the entire company during our trip to Los Cobos, that was a really special recognition, but the reason I pushed myself so hard was because Aaron had lost his job and I was able to support our family on my income without having to give up my role as a mom, which has always remained my top priority. I think the confidence that this has given me is really what I am most proud of.

5. What is your work process? (i.e. what happens when a customer contacts you)

My work process is different things for different people.  If someone contacts me to book a party or an online show, we set a date, get it set up on my website, and build a wishlist of products they will earn for free. If it is a live event we get together and cook a recipe and a dessert in 20 minutes and everyone gets to join in the fun and try out the tools I bring. Then they get to eat!!

If it is someone who wants to get started with their own Pampered Chef business, my job is to help them get off to the best start possible and then I coach and mentor them as they grow their business.
Thanks for taking the time to learn about me and my business.  If you are interested in learning more please feel free to ask me questions or contact me.


Shop my website 24/7 www.pamperedchef.biz/cincychef   NEW products on the outlet!!!

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Nino Garofola - Financial Analyst, Garofola Financial LLC

1.  Tell us about yourself, connection to Ave and your business.

I'm Nino Garofola, and I was at Ave Maria College in 2003-2004. My business is called Garofola Financial and we consult small businesses with 5-30 employees on how to best leverage themselves for profits. Essentially we give businesses that are too small to have a Chief Financial Officer the access to the same expertise and sophistication but without the prohibitive cost. In addition to advising businesses on their financial situation we also do general business consulting on how to better grow your business for efficiency.

2.  What spurred you to start your own business and what keeps you going?

After Ave Maria I transferred to Franciscan University where I graduated with a business economics degree. During my studies in economics I discovered I have a passion for analyzing how businesses run. It was at this point I started formulating a business plan to start a consulting firm for small businesses. In 2010 the dream was finally realized and it has been one of the hardest and one of the best things I have ever done. The greatest part of my job is I get to change the world for the better a little bit every day. When we help businesses reach their clients more efficiently and consequently take home more money I know that I am playing an instrumental part in growing wealth and making everyone better off.

3.  What is your favorite part of your business? 

We rolled out a service called "Cost of Capital" in March 2014. This is something I worked extremely hard for months to perfect. It is a return rate that your business needs to make in order for a project to be "worth it". I also enjoy developing budgets and sales projections. This gives me a reason to play in Excel all day!

4.  What are you most proud of achieving in your business?

In 2013 every client who was with us for 12 months or longer experienced growth of anywhere from 20% to over 100% in sales. In addition, none of these clients had less than a 20% growth rate in "take home" income.

5.  What is your work process?

When a prospect contacts me I meet with them and ask them about their business what the biggest challenges are that they face. If the needs are something that Garofola Financial can address I show them our "Profiability Process". It is a proven process where we make sure the most basic needs are met first before we can address the bigger concerns. By this process I can show them when and how we can expect to address their most pressing needs.

www.garofolafinancial.com

Mark Fein - Mortgage Originator, Fifth Third Bank

1.  Tell us about yourself, connection to Ave and your business/blog/venture.
I am a graduate of Ave Maria Class of 2005. My first two years I attended the Michigan campus and the final two years I studied at the Naples campus. I am grateful for the education and formation I received at Ave. I spent three and a half years in Honduras and Nicaragua doing missionary work where I met my wife. Recently we moved our family back to the Naples area. We were looking for a Catholic community to raise our family and thought Ave Maria, Florida would be a great place to establish ourselves. I provide mortgages for home purchases and refinancing in over 20 states, including Florida and Michigan with Fifth Third Bank. 

2.  What spurred you to start your own business/blog/venture and what keeps you going?
I began working at Fifth Third bank after we moved back to the US. Several family members of mine have worked for the company for years and I was able to obtain a position with the company and after a short time, work my way into mortgage. I never imagined myself in a sales position, but I truly enjoy working with my customers, realtors and business partners.

3.  What is your favorite part of your business/blog/venture? 
The most rewarding part of my career is working with first time home-buyers and helping them achieve their dream of home-ownership. Many people do not realize there are programs available where in many cases homes can be purchased with little-to-no down payment.

4.  What are you most proud of achieving in your business/blog/venture? 
The most rewarding part of my career is that I am able to provide for my family and allow my wife to be a stay-at-home mom. 

5.  What is your work process? 
During my first conversation with my customers, I explain to them the home buying process. The next step is to review credit and income and help them determine how much they qualify for and how much the estimated monthly payment would be. Then I stay in regular contact with them throughout the loan process.

https://secure.53.com/mlo/markfein

Jennifer Kopinski - Blogger, Seeking the Kingdom one day at a time (it's a good thing they're so cute).

1.  Tell us about yourself, connection to Ave and your business/blog/venture.
I studied at Ave Maria College for two years before I married my high school sweetheart, Peter. I am now a stay at home mom to our 6 wonderful children. Currently, we are homeschooling the three oldest. My life typically revolves around trying to keep our kids healthy, happy, and holy, and squeeze in as much time with my husband as possible. I enjoy reading, writing, music, dancing, baking, eating, and movies. My blog will have a lot of personal reflection, and  touch on topics that are meaningful to my current state in life, like child rearing, the Catholic faith, homeschooling, marriage, and hopefully a generous dose of funny kid-stories! 

2.  What spurred you to start your own business/blog/venture and what keeps you going?
I love to read other people's blogs. I get so much encouragement from hearing personal stories, reflections, and thoughts. I often feel like I am navigating my family in the dark, and it can be so overwhelming to me. Just hearing from other people in regards to motherhood, faith, etc, can truly be that light in the dark for me. I also love to write and felt like I could use an outlet of sorts. So I decided to start a blog, both as a therapeutic outlet for myself, and to offer that "light" to someone else who may need it. This is a new thing for me, so my hope is that my love of writing, my desire to help others, and my kids' funny antics will be the things that keep this going.

3.  What is your favorite part of your business/blog/venture? 
I am hopeful that I might be able to offer ideas, encouragement, and fellowship to anyone who would benefit from it, and would love to receive the same from others.

4.  What are you most proud of achieving in your business/blog/venture? 
So far, I'm  just glad I actually followed through with finishing a post. 

5.  What is your work process? 
I hope to post once a week or so, and I look forward to hearing from others and sharing ideas, reflections, stories, and encouragement!

www.jenniferkopinski.blogspot.com

Dagny Syversen - Blogger, Whisked Away

1.  Tell us about yourself, connection to Ave and your business/blog/venture.
My name is Dagny Syversen and I like to blog about my baking/cooking/eating adventures. http://whiskedaway2.blogspot.com/ 

I am a lifelong baker and sugar addict. As the second oldest of seven children I am often found in the kitchen making cookies for my crew. After receiving a BA in Literature and then going on to work in Education for a few years I realized my true calling was in the kitchen. I received my Baking and Pastry Certificate and went on to work at a Cookie Bakery in Houston. My approach to food is to use natural ingredients, make everything from scratch, and bring as much creativity to the plate as possible!!  I then realized that my true calling was to have a job that actually paid the bills and let me have free weekends and nights - so I left the baking business and now work as the Marketing/Events Coordinator at an oil and gas company in Houston.  In my non existent free time I bake and blog!

2.  What spurred you to start your own business/blog/venture and what keeps you going?
I always loved trying new recipes and decided to get organized about it.  I also tend to loose my recipes, and my blog helps me keep track of my favorite recipes and also makes it easy to share them with my friends.

3.  What is your favorite part of your business/blog/venture? 
The favorite part about my blog is when I hear someone I haven't even met tell me they love my recipes...or when I hear friends and family recommend my blog as a recipe source - makes me happy : )

4.  What are you most proud of achieving in your business/blog/venture? 
I am most proud of the fact that I haven't quit on my blog - started it in 2009 and am still posting!  I go through phases where I post a lot, or I don't post at all...but I haven't given up yet, and I always have a pile of recipes I need to post on my blog.

5.  What is your work process? 
Currently I am not selling my cookies, but hope to again in the future.  My posting process is this:  Try a recipe.  If I like it - I try to research the history of some of the ingredients, take pictures, and tell a funny story to go with my recipe.  I only post recipes I have tried and liked!  If I don't like how something turned out I won't post it!